Clark, Gutierrez headline All-District 23-6A selections
June 20, 2023
Pearland just captured the 2023 Class 6A state championship with a 4-2 win over Denton Guyer to finish 43-3.
The Lady Oilers have won three state titles (1996, 2010, 2023) while also advancing to the state softball tournament in 1995, 2009, 2011, and 2016. Clark has guided the Lady Oilers to the state tournament five times.
Clark was recently named the Texas Girls Coaches Association Class 5A-6A "Coach of the Year" while she was also named the "Coach of the Year" by her District 23-6A coaching peers. It won't be long before the Texas Sports Writers Association names the 6A All-State teams that will no doubt include coach Clark as the TSWA 6A "Coach of the Year.
Clark is the winningest 6A high school softball coach in Texas and the second winningest softball coach in Texas of any class.
The veteran coach has a 25-year mark of 688-227-5 record at Pearland High School. Clark also coached at Houghton High School in Louisiana that gives her a career record of 794-461-8. She also was the head coach at Centenary College and Sam Houston State University before coming to Pearland in 1998 with her first season at the Pearland helm in 1999 where she began her PHS career with a 27-10 mark.
Clark was recognized for her outstanding coaching career when she was inducted into the Texas Girls Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2021.
When coach Clark learned of her recent selection as the TGCA 5A-6A "Coach of the Year" -- she said, "This would not be possible without the leadership of the Pearland athletic department. I view this as a whole coaching staff award.
"It would also not be possible without coach Hayden and all the hard work, dedication, love for the game, love for the kids and her loyalty to me and Lady Oiler softball."
Of course, coach Clark also knows how important each player is to the team that is a reflection of her accolades.
"I view this honor as a team award," Clark said. "This would not be possible without the players, support from parents, the community and that which my coaching staff shows on a daily basis."
Pearland senior pitcher Abigail Gutierrez was selected as the District 23-6A Most Valuable Player after she posted a 26-1 record with 145.3 innings, 1.39 earned run average, 191 strikeouts, and 36 walks.
Gutierrez beat San Bonita 3-2 in the 6A state semifinal game and Denton Guyer 4-2 in the state finals as she was also named to the UIL All-Tournament Team. Gutierrez will continue her education and playing career at UT-Arlington next season.
Named to the All-District first-team was senior second baseman Kennedy Drafton (473. BA, 6 double, 6 triples, 2 HR, 30 RBIs, 55 runs scored, and 28-out-of 31 stolen bases). Drafton will continue her education and playing career at Eastern Kentucky. Drafton was named to the UIL All-Tournament Team.
Junior third baseman Raenna Liscano was named to the All-District first-team after she hit .385, 13 doubles, 4 triples, one home run, 57 RBIs, 30 runs, 11 walks, and nine stolen bases.
Sophomore outfielder Kaylee Schweitzer was named to the All-District first-team as she hit .455, 3 triples, 19 RBIs, and 39 runs.
Junior designated player Kelsey Martin was selected to the All-District first-team as she hit .341 with 1 double, 13 RBIs, 12 runs, and 11 stolen bases.
Senior At-Large pick was Kristyn Whitlock who was an All-District first-team pick as she hit .409 with nine doubles, 7 HRs, 55 RBIs, 27 runs, 19 walks, and 11 stolen bases.
Named to the All-District second-team was sophomore pitcher Isela Flores, senior outfielders Darian DeLeon and sophomore Jordan Smith, and At-Large senior Lydia Njus.
Named to the All-District honorable mention was senior Hailey Golden (Texas A&M) and the UIL All-Tournament MVP and junior Trinity Perry.
Named to the UIL State Tournament Team was Gutierrez, Perry, Njus, and Drafton while Hailey Golden was named MVP.
